Modular bottle rack

ABSTRACT

A modular bottle rack including a core element and a bridge element is disclosed. The core element has a first end and a second end defining a length of the core element, a plurality of apexes defining a complemental engagement element, and at least one apex defining an engagement element. The bridge element has a first end and a second end defining the length of the bridge element, and a first edge and a second edge, each defining an engagement element. One of the complemental engagement elements of the core element engages one of the engagement elements of the bridge element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to storage devices.

More particularly, the present invention relates to bottle racks for supporting bottles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of storage devices, bottle racks are well known and well used for supporting bottles, and in particular for supporting wine bottles in an appropriate horizontal orientation. Bottle racks have been developed in a multitude of shapes and configurations. Many of the racks are rigid, unchangeable structures which provide great strength and stability. These structures, however, can be difficult to store and transport when not in use. To overcome these problems, collapsible racks have been developed. Collapsible racks generally include a plurality of disparate elements assembled similar to a puzzle to produce a complete rack. While easily stored and transported, collapsible racks can be difficult and confusing to assemble. Additionally, due to the generally large number of interconnecting parts, the collapsible racks often lack strength and stability. The lack of strength and stability can limit the size of the rack and the weight it can support. This translates to a limited bottle capacity. Furthermore, the collapsible racks tend to have a specific final structure and cannot be assembled into multiple different configurations. Other than for use in a major storage capacity such as a wine cellar, many bottle racks are employed on counter tops or other areas having limited space. Since space is limited, it is desirable to optimize the space used. Many bottle racks use space inefficiently, reducing the bottle capacity of a specific area.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular bottle rack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a strong and stable modular bottle rack.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bottle rack that can be assembled into a large number of configurations and sizes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bottle rack that optimizes the use of space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention, provided is a modular bottle rack including a core element and a bridge element. The core element has a first end and a second end defining a length of the core element, a plurality of apexes defining a complemental engagement element, and at least one apex defining an engagement element. The bridge element has a first end and a second end defining the length of the bridge element, and a first edge and a second edge, each defining an engagement element. One of the complemental engagement elements of the core element engages one of the engagement elements of the bridge element.

In another aspect, provided is a modular bottle rack including a core element having a first end and a second end. The core element includes a first side, a second side and a third side formed in a triangular shaped structure having a first apex, a second apex and a third apex. The first apex defines an engagement element extending from the first end to the second end, and the second apex and the third apex each have a complemental engagement element extending from the first end to the second end. A bridge element includes a curved panel having a convex surface and an opposite concave surface. The convex surface and the concave surface extend from a first end to a second end and from a first edge to a second edge. The first edge and the second edge each define an engagement element extending from the first end to the second end. One of the complemental engagement elements of the core element engages one of the engagement elements of the bridge element from the first ends of the core element and the bridge elements to the second ends of the core element and the bridge elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a modular bottle rack according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the modular bottle rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a modular bottle rack according to the present invention having a different configuration;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a core element according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the core element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of an apex and engagement element of the core element;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of an apex and complemental engagement element of the core element;

FIG. 8 is a sectional end view of a bridge element according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the bridge element; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view of an end and engagement element of the bridge element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate a modular bottle rack generally designated 10. Modular bottle rack 10 is intended to support wine bottles, but can also be utilized and sized to support other bottle types and sizes. Modular bottle rack 10 receives bottles 12 having a body portion 13 and a neck 14 and supports body portion 13 in a horizontal orientation as is generally desired for the storage of bottled wine. Modular bottle rack 10 can include portions completely encircling bottle 12, with enough clearance to insert and remove bottle 12, and portions that partially encircle bottle 12.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and additional reference to FIG. 3, modular bottle rack 10 includes core elements 16 and bridge elements 18 that extend generally greater than half the length of body portion 13 of each bottle 12. Core elements 16 and bridge elements 18 interconnect to form modular bottle rack 10, and can be interconnected in a large variety of configuration as illustrated by the different configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as compared to FIG. 3. As will become apparent by the following description, the robust interconnection of core elements 16 and bridge elements 18 and the strength of core elements 16 and bridge elements 18 provide a stable and strong bottle rack 10 that can be configured to hold a small number of bottle or greatly increase the bottle capacity by interconnecting large numbers of core elements 16 and bridge elements 18.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an end view of core element 16 is illustrated. Core element 16 is generally triangular in cross section, and includes equal length sides 22, 23 and 24 joined at apexes 26, 27 and 28, respectively. Each of sides 22, 23 and 24 curve to form a concave outer surface and convex inner surface defining a central volume 29. It should be understood that core element 16 can be formed as a solid piece without central volume 29, but it is preferable to include the central volume to reduce weight and materials required without affecting strength. Core elements can be formed of plastic, metal, and the like and can be molded or extruded as desired. In the preferred embodiment, core elements 16 are extruded from aluminum for its light weight and strength. With additional reference to FIG. 5, sides 22, 23 and 24 extend the length of core element 16 from an end 31 to an opposing end 32, and are intended to span at least half of the body of a bottle to be supported. The preferred length is greater than 6 inches, but can vary depending upon the type of bottle to be supported.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 and additional reference to FIG. 6, apex 26 defines an engagement element, which in this embodiment is a slot 35. Slot 35 has a round cross section and extends from end 31 to opposing end 32, the entire length of core element 16. Slot 35 includes a narrowed neck portion 37 defined by inwardly directed flanges 38 and 39 of apex 26. The width of neck portion 37 is less than the diameter of slot 35. While slot 35 is preferably round in the present illustrations, it will be understood that a slot of substantially any shape, oval, triangular, square, irregular, and the like, can be employed.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 and additional reference to FIG. 7, apexes 27 and 28 each includes a complemental engagement element. Since apexes 27 and 28 are identical, only apex 27 will be described in detail. Apex 27 includes a complemental engagement element which in this embodiment is a track element 40. Track element 40 has a round cross section sized to be received by slot 35, for purposes which will become apparent presently, and extends from end 31 to opposing end 32, the entire length of core element 16. While track element 40 is also preferably round in the present illustrations, it will be understood that a track of substantially any shape matching slot 35 can be employed. Track 40 includes a narrowed neck portion 42 extending from apex 27. Neck portion 42 has a width less than the diameter of track 40 and sized to be received by narrowed neck portion 37 for purposes which will become apparent presently.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a sectional end view of bridge element 18 is illustrated. Bridge element 18 is generally a curved panel having a convex surface 51 and an opposite concave surface 52. With additional reference to FIG. 9, convex surface 51 and concave surface 52 extend the length of bridge element 18 from an end 54 to an opposing end 55, substantially matching the length of core elements 16 and is intended to span at least half of the body of a bottle to be supported. The preferred length is greater than 6 inches, but can vary depending upon the type of bottle to be supported. Bridge element 18 includes opposite edges 57 and 58 each define engagement elements extending the length of bridge element 18. A central volume 60 can be provided within bridge element 18, defined by convex surface 51 and opposite concave surface 52 if desired. It should be understood that bridge element 18 can be formed as a solid piece without central volume 60, but it is preferable to include the central volume to reduce weight and materials required without affecting strength. Bridge elements can be formed of plastic, metal, and the like and can be molded or extruded as desired. In the preferred embodiment, bridge elements 18 are extruded from aluminum for its light weight and strength.

With continued reference to FIG. 8 and additional reference to FIG. 10, ends 57 and 58 each define an engagement element. Since ends 57 and 58 are identical, only end 28 will be described in detail. End 58 includes a complemental engagement element which in this embodiment is a slot 65. Slot 65 is identical to slot 35 of core element 16. Slot 65 has a round cross section and extends from end 54 to opposing end 55, the entire length of bridge element 18. Slot 65 includes a narrowed neck portion 67 defined by inwardly directed flanges 68 and 69 of end 58. The width of neck portion 67 is less than the diameter of slot 65. While slot 65 is preferably round in the present illustrations, it will be understood that a slot of substantially any shape, oval, triangular, square, irregular and the like, can be employed.

Referring back to FIG. 3, it can be seen that engagement elements (slots 35 and slots 65) can engage and be engaged by complemental engagement elements (track 40). In this manner, core elements 16 can be connected with adjacent core elements 16 and can be connected to bridge elements 18 in configurations as desired. Typically, a lower course 70 includes the bottommost segments being bridge element 18. Interior courses are typically formed entirely of core elements 16, while a top course 75 has bridge elements 18 as the uppermost elements. With additional reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can also be seen that bridge elements 18 are used to extend laterally outwardly from core elements 16 to provide laterally extending supports for bottles 12. Rail 40 of core element 16 can engage either slot 35 of adjacent core elements or slot 65 of bridge elements. To engage rail 40 of core element 16 with slot 35 of an adjacent core element 16 or slot 65 of a bridge element 18, rail 40 of core element 16 is slidably inserted into the slot at one end of the core element or bridge element. The two elements are then slid together with their respective ends positioned generally flush. The enlarged portion of rail 40 can only enter slot 36, 65 through an end due to the narrow portion 37, 67. This narrow portion also prevents unintentional separation of the elements, providing a secure engagement. Furthermore, since the engagement is along the entire edge of each element, the resulting engagement is very robust and stable.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims. 

1. A modular bottle rack comprising: a core element having a first end and a second end defining a length of the core element, a plurality of apexes defining a complemental engagement element, and at least one apex defining an engagement element; a bridge element having a first end and a second end defining the length of the bridge element, a first edge and a second edge, each defining an engagement element; and wherein one of the complemental engagement elements of the core element engages one of the engagement elements of the bridge element.
 2. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the complemental engagement elements extend from the first end of the core element to the second end of the core element, and the engagement elements extend from the first end of the core element to the second end of the core element and the first end of the bridge element to the second end of the bridge element.
 3. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of the core element and the length of the bridge element are greater than half the length of a body of a bottle to be supported thereby.
 4. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the engagement element defined by the at least one apex of the core element is a slot extending from the first end to the second end, and the complemental engagement element carried by each of the plurality of apexes is a rail extending from the first end to the second end.
 5. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 4 wherein the engagement element defined by each of the first edge and the second edge of the bridge element is a slot.
 6. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 1 further including another core element having a first end and a second end defining a length of the another core element, a plurality of apexes defining a complemental engagement element, and at least one apex defining an engagement element.
 7. A modular bottle rack comprising: a core element having a first end and a second end, the core element including: a first side, a second side and a third side formed in a triangular shaped structure; the triangular shape structure having a first apex, a second apex and a third apex; the first apex defining an engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; the second apex and the third apex each having a complemental engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; a bridge element including: a curved panel having a convex surface and an opposite concave surface, the convex surface and the concave surface extending from a first end to a second end and from a first edge to a second edge; the first edge and the second edge each defining an engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; and wherein one of the complemental engagement elements of the core element engages one of the engagement elements of the bridge element from the first ends of the core element and the bridge elements to the second ends of the core element and the bridge elements.
 8. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first side, the second side and the third side of the core element each have a concave outer surface.
 9. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first side, the second side and the third side of the core define a central volume extending from the first end of the core element to the second end of the core element.
 10. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 7 wherein the engagement element defined by the first apex of the core element is a slot extending from the first end to the second end, the complemental engagement element carried by each of the second apex and the third apex of the core element is a rail extending from the first end to the second end.
 11. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 10 wherein the engagement element defined by each of the first edge and the second edge of the bridge element is a slot.
 12. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 7 further including another core element having a first end and a second end, the another core element including: a first side, a second side and a third side formed in a triangular shaped structure; the triangular shape structure having a first apex, a second apex and a third apex; the first apex defining an engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; the second apex and the third apex each having a complemental engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; and wherein the another core element engages one of the core element and the bridge element.
 13. A modular bottle rack comprising: a plurality of core elements, each having a first end and a second end, each of the core element including: a first side, a second side and a third side formed in a triangular shaped structure; the triangular shape structure having a first apex, a second apex and a third apex; the first apex defining an engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; the second apex and the third apex each having a complemental engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; a plurality of bridge elements, each bridge element including: a curved panel having a convex surface and an opposite concave surface, the convex surface and the concave surface extending from a first end to a second end and from a first edge to a second edge; the first edge and the second edge each defining an engagement element extending from the first end to the second end; and wherein each of the core elements engages one of a bridge element or an adjacent core element, and each bridge element engages a core element.
 14. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first side, the second side and the third side of each of the plurality of core elements each have a concave outer surface.
 15. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first side, the second side and the third side of each of the plurality of core elements define a central volume extending from the first end of the core element to the second end of the core element.
 16. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 13 wherein for each of the plurality of core elements the engagement element defined by the first apex of the core element is a slot extending from the first end to the second end, the complemental engagement element carried by each of the second apex and the third apex of the core element is a rail extending from the first end to the second end.
 17. A modular bottle rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein for each of the plurality of bridge elements the engagement element defined by each of the first edge and the second edge of the bridge element is a slot. 